Every year, students within Leander’s International Baccalaureate program gather together to raise money for a specific and global charity. IB’s class of 2012 is selling cupcakes as part of this year’s fundraiser for the LifeStraw, and these treats are not only for a good cause, they’re also unbelievably delicious.

The LifeStraw is an ingenious device that filters the water sucked through it, removing %99.999 of waterborne bacteria and parasites. 

“One-seventh of the world’s population doesn’t have water, and that’s unacceptable,” said Ashley McGowan, IB senior and the primary organizer of the charity.

Distributing LifeStraws to those that lack access to clean water is a temporary fix to this problem. As a more permanent water source is established, those waiting can still have fresh water without having to walk miles to get it. One LifeStraw provides enough water to last one person for a year and is more environmentally friendly than traditional methods, which involve burning wood.

“It may not seem to make a big difference, but to those benefiting it means the world,” said McGowan.

Every Friday throughout the lunch period, IB students are manning their cupcake booth. The menu includes the typical cupcakes, made of cake, frosting, and a colorful wrapper. These are sold for $1. However, for $3 students can purchase “gourmet” cupcakes.

The gourmet items come in a variety of flavors, including Cookies n’ Cream, Fudgy Mint, and even Dr. Pepper. Each of these cupcakes has a sweet surprise in the center, is masterfully decorated, and comes wrapped with a brightly colored straw to represent a donation to the cause.

For every three cupcakes purchased, one LifeStraw is bought, and with the help of dedicated bakers as well as hungry students, the charity has already earned approximately $1,200. Way to eat, Leander!

The sales will continue into February and make an appearance at the upcoming Dodgeball Tournament on Feb. 16^th.

   Last Wednesday on December 7^th, Leander French students were honored to share lunch with two French-speaking hockey players. Born in the French-speaking Quebec, Hubert Labrie and Mathieu Tousignant are now playing for the Texas Stars, and thanks to French teacher Claire Curtice, the pair took time out of their busy schedule to visit the LHS campus.

   In the Little Theater, Labrie and Tousignant attempted to teach students the rules of hockey in their native tongue. Their presence allowed students to not only practice their own French but to hear the language straight from the mouths of native speakers.

   Mrs. Curtice definitely deserves big thanks for providing such a unique opportunity.

  The United States Senate Youth Program, established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. The 50th Anniversary program will be held in Washington, D.C., from March 3 – 10, 2012. 

   Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by Senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as participate in a meeting with a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

   All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $5,000 College Scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

   Leander High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) have been busy with competitions throughout November, and competitors gave LHS reason to be proud.

   The Public Relations team (Kyra Ziatas, junior, Regan Basset, sophomore, and Kylie McDonald, junior) came in second place and advanced to Area VII competition. The Radio Team (Devann Johnson, Heaven Sampayo, and Crystal Williams, all juniors) hosted a radio show regarding the topic of pet population and placed second. This group also advanced to area VII competition.

   Arial Mendoza, senior, R.J. Kasza, junior, Blake Vanderwalle, sophomore, and Keifer Peckham, freshman, placed third in Agricultural Issues. Jordan Vanaman, junior, placed fourth in FFA Creed Speaking.

   Congratulations FFA!

   Among metal lovers, there has been much anticipation for any news about the annual Thrash and Burn tour (TaB). After a surprisingly disappointing 2010 tour, TaB has gathered a very exciting, impressive lineup of both artists and concert venues.

   Previously, TaB has featured big-name metal artists, including Oceano, Despised Icon, Through the Eyes of the Dead, Emmure, Arsonists Get All the Girls, Veil of Maya, as well as many Christian bands such as Impending Doom and Stick to Your Guns.

   For the 2011 tour, Winds of Plague are returning as a headliner. For the Fallen Dreams, Chelsea Grin, As Blood Runs Black, and Upon a Burning Body are also returning, and Christian bands In the Midst of Lions and Like Moths to a Flame are expected to debut.

   Instead of including cookie-cutter metal bands like many other tours, Thrash and Burn show their colors by hosting highly renowned, original bands. Although TaB usually takes place during the summer, the usual White Rabbit venue will host TaB on December 9, and Austin’s own Emo’s will host TaB for the first time on December 13.

   As you may have heard there have been multiple protests in the Austin area. To most of us these are just rowdy and loud people who lack hygiene and have nothing better to do than to protest things that are completely irrelevant to the majority. But in reality it’s not only their fight but ours. We are the “99%.”

   Starting on October 6, 2011 the Occupy Wall Street movement has made its way to Austin. Since then people have been gathering at city hall to protest what they call corporate greed and corruption. What the movement is striving for is a new government structure with the people more in mind.

   Throughout the previous weekend of October 29-30 multiple people were arrested and banned from city hall ground for two years. The people who were involved in this incident feel as if their rights, such as the freedom of speech, are being taken away. 

   To a young adult the thought of politics seems boring. The government isn’t something worth worrying about since its system is already well established. But this isn’t a situation where you can just leave it and say “if it’s not broken don’t fix it.”

   It may sound cliché, but we are the future. With a situation that concerns such a high percentage of people, we can’t afford to just stand by and be ignorant.

Bring a blanket and a picnic basket to Zilker Park this upcoming Saturday and enjoy a live jazz performance free of charge. Beginning at 5 pm and ending at 10 pm, the Austin Jazz Festival will include performances by The Texas Swing All-Stars, the Gabriel Santiago Orchestra, and many more. The event is hosted by the Austin Jazz Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring future jazz artists as well as showcasing the professional jazz musicians that have performed around the Austin area. So for all those jazz fans out there, this one’s for you.

With eleven homes destroyed and nine damaged, police are searching for a group of teens that may be responsible for starting the Leander fire.  An investigation shows that the fire possibly started in a forested area. Many firefighters had to work through the night to put the fire down, and three had to be rushed to the hospital due to injury.

When the fire was at its worst, 500 people had to evacuate and take shelter at Rouse High School. The fire encompassed 300 acres and left fifteen homes destroyed. In total, the property damage amounted to about $1.4 million dollars.  Some lost everything to the fire, and two residents were treated for smoke inhalation, but there are those that are just thankful to be alive.

The local churches, the Red Cross, and other organizations have helped to provide assistance to the victims by providing food, clothes, and temporary shelter. LHS’s own Drama Club has organized a relief effort for the fire victims and donations are currently being accepted in the drama room.

The fire is believed to have resulted from arson and the Leander Police Department has released descriptions of at least four suspects, two boys and two girls.

All four suspects are Caucasian and believed to be aged between fifteen and sixteen. One of the girls, described as having black hair, was seen wearing a pink sweatshirt and jeans. The other girl, described as having dirty blond hair, was seen wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. Both of the boys have shaggy dark hair and were seen wearing jeans. One of the boys had on a red shirt, and the other a black-striped shirt.

Those with any information regarding these potential suspects should contact the Leander Police Department (512-528-2800). Those that would prefer to remain anonymous should contact Williamson County Crime Stoppers (1-800-253-7867) or the Texas Forest Service (1-800-364-3470). There is a reward of $2,000 for any information that leads to an arrest.

   Students that participated in the 2011 UIL Regional Competition soared into success. On April 6, Advanced Productions students had their “Alice in Wonderland”-themed designs evaluated and were honored with advancement in costume design, marketing design, and overall group design. Alyssa Wright, senior, and Chastity Grussendorf, junior, advanced for individual costume design while Ben Sands and Jose Aquino, both seniors, advanced for individual publicity. In team design, Kat Schober, senior, will advance for costumes, Hailey Suggs, senior, for set design, and Lauren Smith, senior, for publicity. Riding on these wins, the amazing work of these students will be presented and judged again at UIL’s State Competition on May 11.

   According to Paul Davis, technical director for the Leander Theater Department, Advanced Productions students have held attendance at State for the last six years. In his class, the creation of these final products is treated as a project, and of these, the most outstanding are selected to compete. Thus far, this system has worked spectacularly, and Davis is both impressed and excited.

   “I think we have a good chance to place in the top three spots at State,” he said.

   In addition to these wins, Matt Broussard, junior, placed second in Headline Writing at Region and will also progress to State on May 5.

   As the beginning of the district nears Leander boys varsity soccer team is finally starting to come together, making all of the full 24 player team feel comfortable. They have high hopes of going to playoffs this season, a feat that has yet to be accomplished since Coach Timo Sheard’s departure in 2001.

  Plagued with injuries and illness, the boys team started off slow, losing Dani Alvarado to a concussion. The team was unable to place in the Hays Rebel Cup Tournament, but did seem to come together and make it work with a tie and a 4-0 victory the last two games.

   Tuesday night the boys played away at Rouse Raiders. With a lack of focus to start the game, it took a near goal in the first minute for the boys to regain focus and get the ball rollin’. In response the boys traveled up field where “Blackie” (Timothy Black) senior, got the first goal of the night, a heel to the upper ninety in the second minute. It did not stop there.

   Again, in the eighth minute, Alex Cortes, junior, headed the ball in off of a cross from Daimon Gonzales, senior. Once again a header by “Cheeky” (Eric Bello) senior, in the 15^th minute, added another goal.

   As the Raider defense started to fall, the boys kept it respectful and continued to play their game, even after many Raiders began to foul.

   A substitution in the 17^th minute resulted in yet another goal in the 23^rd minute by Julian Moniot, senior, giving the Leander boys three assurance goals to end the first half.

   The second half started off slow for Leander, resulting in an excellent placed goal by Rouse during the 54^th minute.

   Once again, to get the ball rollin’, Benjamin Plett, senior, scored a shot from out of the 18 yard box in the 68^th minute.

   With for sure victory, the Lions continued to play their game to the very last second, where Louis Martinez, freshman, scored his first goal of the season with three seconds to spare, making for a promising future for the future.

   For years the boys have claimed to be the change for Leander; “We have been saying we would be a playoff team our senior year, since our freshman year, and this is a promising start to that journey,” Vincent Fussell, senior, said.  

   Thursday night, the boys started the Vista Ridge Showcase with a great game, tying Vista Ridge Rangers 0-0.

   Russ Girard, coach, and the boys would like to thank the fans for coming out and showing their support for the team as well as invite them to keep coming out. You can cheer the Lions soccer team on Friday Jan. 21 at 6:00p.m. At Gupton Stadium, when they take on McCallum High and again on Saturday Jan. 22 at 1:00p.m. against Liberty High, at Vista Ridge High School.